The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a definitive clinical case definition for what has been known as Long COVID, to help doctors recognise and diagnose the estimated 1 in 3 people affected by this post COVID-19 ongoing disease.
The WHO definition of Long COVID is: “Post COVID-19 condition occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, usually 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms that last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction but also others which generally have an impact on everyday functioning. Symptoms may be new onset, following initial recovery from an acute COVID-19 episode, or persist from the initial illness. Symptoms may also fluctuate or relapse over time. A separate definition may be applicable for children.”
Science Media Centre gets Expert Reactions to the case definition. Read what Dr. Anna Brooks and Emeritus Professor Warren Tate have to say, here:
